Vietnamese bishops alarmed by the new religious law

Joseph Nguyen Hung - AsiaNews

06/08/2017

The new Law on Beliefs and Religions will come in effect on 1st January 2018.
Its ambiguities and contradictions will fuel the "system of asking and
granting". The law interferes with the internal affairs of religious communities
and establishes tight controls over their activities. The government's views
about religion are inadequate. The authorities call on religions to work for the
country's growth. The bishops differentiate the concept of nation from that of
regime.

Hanoi – "The
government’s Law on Beliefs and Religions has some innovative and positive
points. However, there are many aspects that worry us and alarm us," say
Vietnam’s Catholic bishops in a statement that raises doubts about legislation
set to come into effect on 1st January 2018.

Despite biases
and distorted views spread by the government about the Church, Catholic leaders
have reiterated their commitment to work with the authorities for the good of
the country, but demand their independence from the state.

Last June, in a
message to the speaker of the National Assembly, Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân, and the
498 members of the legislative body, the Bishops' Conference expressed its views
on the last draft of the bill.

The bishops also
sent their official statement to the faithful in the country’s 26 dioceses,
urging them to pray for the good of the nation.

The members of
five Catholic religious institutes also criticised the new law, which "creates
muddled procedures, stifling rules, and a series of constraints that make
religious activity impossible."

In its letter on
1st June, the Bishops' Conference underlines certain positive aspects of the
law, such as the recognition of the right to religion of inmates in prisons and
reform schools (Article 6), foreigners (Articles 8 and 47), and foreigners
studying at Vietnamese religious institutions (Article 49).

The law also
recognises religious organisations approved by the appropriate state agency as
non-commercial entities (Article 30).

However, the
government's interference with religious organisations active in education and
health raises doubts and concerns.

A previous draft
law, dated17
August 2016, established the right of religious groups to set up
educational and health facilities, outpatient clinics, welfare bodies and
shelters. The final version changes this, generically acknowledging the right of
religious organisations to "take part" in educational, social and health
activities.

"In what way can
we 'take part' in these activities?” wonder the bishops. “To what extent can we
'take part'? Are we still guaranteed the right to establish outreach bodies or
foundations? This last version of the law is a step backwards from the previous
one," they lament.

According to the
prelates, the ambiguities and contradictions in the law fuel the "system of
asking and granting" through which the government can "approve or disapprove of
religious organisations". This legitimises interference in internal affairs of
religious communities and establishes tight controls over their activities.

"The bill shows
the inadequacy of the government's views on religion and religious organisations.
The authorities look to religions as purely political organisations, sometimes
as an opposition force. Pastoral activities in the fields of charity, health and
education are not adequately valued and pastoral activities are ostracised."

"In some
government schools or training centres, some educators and teachers show strong
bias against Catholicism,” this according to some Catholic students who spoke toAsiaNews.
“They give a wrong account of the history of Catholicism in Vietnam. At the same
time, some teachers or quasi-experts pass on disinformation about Catholicism,
distorting the image that the younger generation may have of the Catholic
Church."

For the Bishops’
Conference, "such visions and behaviours risk undermining the real identity of
religions, dividing them and creating conflicts between believers and
non-religious people. Such attitudes are forbidden by this law (Article 5)."

Bishops have
responded directly to the government's call to work for the country's growth.
"The government has invited religions to accompany the nation. We all agree to
this, but we think that the concept of nation must be clearly distinguished from
that of regime.”

“The history of
the Vietnamese people in particular and the history of the world in general show
that political regimes change over time, but the nation lasts forever. Religions
inspire noble spiritual values ​​in the human heart. This way, religion helps to
promote the cultural traditions of the nation, engaging actively in building a
just, democratic and civic society. "

Finally, the
bishops turn to the National Assembly. "When there is a proper view of
religion, this will be the premise for true respect for the religious freedom of
the people. We hope that our honest and direct comments, due to our historical
responsibility and our love of homeland, will be heard by the Assembly.”

“With respect to
the guidelines to apply the law, we hope that the Government of Vietnam will
follow new paths, creating conditions for religions to participate more actively
in the building and development of the country. This is for the prosperity,
democracy and happiness of Vietnam."